UVA Architecture: Barcelona

Experience the rich architectural and urban design histories of one of Spain’s largest cities. Through coursework, excursions, and daily life, this exciting program provides graduate students an invaluable opportunity to look closely at the critical issues of urbanization, including population densities, environmental impacts, and infrastructural efficacies, affecting the viability of cities in the 21st century.

The main goal of this program is to dive deep into urban investigation in the laboratory that Barcelona constitutes. Using existing academic and institutional networks, participants will have the chance to access the most exceptional places in the city and personally meet important administrators, planners and designers of Barcelona.

Announcements

Location

With a population of 1.6 million, Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and the second-largest city in Spain. Well known internationally for its urbanity, Barcelona is a place where architecture profoundly influences each citizen’s quotidian experience. It is a city where architects, designers, and artists have played a central role in shaping the city to support a sense of conviviality between residents and visitors.

Courses

This series of courses fulfills an equivalent semester for School of Architecture graduate students at UVA School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban and Environmental Planning. These course offerings also fulfill the Urban Design Certificate offered at the School of Architecture. Participants will be considered in an individual basis under the advice and permission of the chair of the department.

Language Requirement

During the spring semester (mid-February to early May), interested students are required to take an introduction to Spanish course. More information about this non-credit-bearing, no-fee course will be provided by the School of Architecture. Note that classes begin before students are notified of their acceptance status into the program, so all interested students should plan to attend the initial course meetings.

Prerequisites

MArch, MLA or dual degree program graduate students will follow the prerequisites set by the curricular sequence of each respective program. Other interested graduate students should contact Professor Bailo. The program has some spots open to fourth year undergraduate students.

Faculty

Accommodation and Meals

Participant housing is in shared rooms in a university residence, with kitchen facilities, wi-fi, laundry facilities, and a gym available.

Excursions

Reinforcing the content of the courses, the program will include two types of field trips:

Short-duration field trips will include a one-day excursion to visit significant works of architecture located in Barcelona and its environs. In order to make critical connections between varied architectural and urban concepts, additional brief excursions will include neighboring cities of architectural and urban significance.

A weekend excursion to Venice, to expand farther and provide an additional notable example of another Mediterranean city and its culture.

Cost and Financial Aid

The program cost and payment schedule are available under the "Budget Sheets" link at the top of this page. Students with identifiable financial need are encouraged to apply for fellowships, scholarships, and financial aid. School of Architecture students are encouraged to apply for School of Architecture funding.

Accessibility

The University of Virginia believes in providing reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities on an individual basis. If you believe that you would require adjustments in order to fully participate in this program, please contact the Student Disability Access Center at 434-243-5180 as early as possible in order to begin this dialogue.

Passport and Visa

All participants will need a valid passport in order to participate in the program. Students must ensure that their passport is valid at least six months past the program return date. US passport holders will need a visa to participate in this program; the ISO will provide instructions and some of the required documentation. International students should consult the Spanish Consulate for visa and other entry requirements, plan to apply for their visa from the U.S., and meet with their International Student Advisor in the International Studies Office for information about re-entering the U.S. at the conclusion of the program.

Health and Safety Information

All students considering Education Abroad should consult the Students Abroad section of the U.S. Department of State’s web-based travel resources and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Traveler’s Health web resources to research health, safety, and security conditions; visa requirements; immunization requirements; and recommendations on staying healthy and safe in their target destination(s). Students should also carefully review the UVA Education Abroad Health & Safety Abroad web page. Parents and guardians are strongly advised to review all of these resources, as well. UVA students and visiting students enrolled in UVA Education Abroad programs are subject to the University of Virginia’s Policy on Student International Travel.